Church in Abu Dhabi vows to send harvest feast donations to Indian disaster zone

Celebrations at St. George Orthodox Cathedral saw some 13,000 people enjoy traditional food and music. (Photo courtesy Khaleej Times)

India has united to support victims of the worst floods to hit its southern Kerala state in half a century, and now a church in the United Arab Emirates has promised to send its “harvest collections” to assist with rebuilding efforts there.

Mar Thoma Church Vicar Babu P. Kulathackal told Abu Dhabi’s Khaleej Times on Nov. 10 that some of the proceeds raised in Mussafah, an industrial district southwest of Abu Dhabi, on Nov. 16 would be forwarded to the southern Indian state.

“We have 1,600 families as followers. We have 31 prayer groups and all of them will join with different food items,” he said.

“We are hoping for good sales as a sizable amount … [of the] collection will go towards rebuilding Kerala. Each one of us is affected, and we will all rebuild a new Kerala,” he added.

The August floods washed away hundreds of houses and submerged villages, killing over 370 people and resulting in an estimated 800,000 being displaced and sent to relief camps.

Meanwhile, St. George Orthodox Cathedral in the UAE capital said it saw 13,000 people, including former Kerala chief secretary Jiji Thomson, attend a special celebration there on Nov. 9 to mark the traditional harvest festival, which sees people eat fresh crops, make pledges, and give thanks.

Yakob Mar Elias Metropolitan of the Indian Orthodox Church’s Brahmavar Diocese presided over the festivities, which featured 80 stalls including 50 for food and groceries.

Around 2,000 families and 20 prayer groups and associations worked for months to organize the events, according to Cathedral Vicar Benny Mathew.

“It was a show of religious harmony. It is important to keep traditional events alive. We will utilize the collection for church-oriented activities as the church is undergoing renovation,” he was quoted as saying.

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